ColdMiser wrote:
Thanks for taking the time and appreciating it. Yep, the recording is old but that's how they played it when I caught them recently. Very Floyd-ish, I was also thinking.

The Gentle Giant "Playing the Fool" live disc is what started me on them. Now I have far too much. And I know I've posted this homage repeatedly. 

It features all members of the band (lead singer picks up the ball after a few verses, drummer wearing his Oakland A's outfit, bass and keyboards doing the mandolin duet, guitarist seated alone, and all in frame at one brief point after the two minute mark). 

The more I hear later Crack the Sky, I believe that Jim Griffiths was the guitar powerhouse, because their later stuff gets really pedestrian. But those first three albums, holy carp.

I have a couple of solo Garth albums. Such an interesting weirdo.

Listening to the radio in college, "As Falls..." came on. Loved it ever since. Huge Lyle fan, as you noticed from my other mixes. RIP

I have one Startled Insects album  - Curse of the Pheromones - and it's just amazingly different music. Kinda Zappa - like.

And again I send you a song from Phil Manzanera's amazing group project, 801. You've heard the live version of TNK on RP (my upload!). The album that followed was "Listen Now" which goes in an entirely different direction. The album includes

• Phil Manzanera - guitar, acoustic piano, Hammond organ
• Eno - guitar treatment, chorus piano, synthesizer
• Simon Ainley - lead vocals
• Bill MacCormick - bass, vocals
• Ian MacCormick - vocals
• Tim Finn - vocals
• Kevin Godley - vocals, percussion
• Lol Creme - vocals, Gizmo
• Billy Livsey - clavinet, Wurlitzer electric piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano
• Mel Collins - soprano saxophone
• John White - tuba
• Eddie Jobson - acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano
• Eddie Rayner - acoustic piano
• Francis Monkman - Fender Rhodes electric piano, synthesizer
• Rhett Davies - Hammond organ
• Simon Phillips - drums, percussion
• Dave Mattacks - drums
• Alan Lee - background vocals/chorus

The new Jon Anderson/Band Geeks is great. In fact, Yes is back, baby! (As opposed to that band with Steve Howe)

So many versions of Starless in my collection, all with their quirks. This is recent, although Bill Reiflin on the middle drum kit has since succumbed to cancer, in the seven-headed configuration. What a tune...
another version 

i'm mcc pregnant and due this month
however, it's not twins or trips
expect a solo bouncing baby disc in the near future

My apologies to Mr. Eight for not getting my review out yet for the epic 3 CD set.
Work is killing me.
But soon we're taking a trip. So maybe I can get it out soon.

 Steely_D wrote:
When I get your "for Headphones only" mixes I break out the old pair and am always glad I do. The sound is so much more intimate than using a Blue Tooth speaker or in the car, like I used to listen mostly in the past. On songs I'm familiar with I always seem to hear something new. 
After listening to Prog A on one night and the start of Prog B the next night I thought for sure the whole mix was a Live theme. Of course that didn't hold. My notes as I enjoyed the mix.
Prog A
* Art for Art's Sake - Is this from the latest 10cc tour? Sounds like what I heard when I saw them last summer. The intro is very Floyd like.
* Gentle Giant - My first time hearing this band live. I only have The Power and the Glory in my collection. I'm always on the lookout for others, just haven't been lucky. Really like what I hear.
* She's A Dancer - Crack the Sky has always been one of my favorite bands. I thought maybe this was from Live Sky but I don't recall it being that long a version on that record. Funny I saw them in NYC a few years back and when they took a break between sets I headed to the men's room only to be stuck behind John Palumbo taking a massive piss. I have a photo LOL!
* ELP - Greg Lake doesn't get enough credit for his vocals. 
* Dark Star - Not your Dad's "The Band" music
Prog B
* As Falls Wichita - I thought this was Genesis at first. Song was a tad long, but that was kind of a theme.
* Shine - It's crazy to think that this song dates back to the beginning of MTV. Seems like a lifetime ago. 
* Startled Insects - Fun band name
* Flight 19 - a little Beach Boyish, totally new to me and completely in my wheelhouse. Fav of the mix!
* True  Messenger - John Anderson is the master of prog
* Starless - I go back and forth between liking the Belew iteration of Crimson the most to this lineup, especially when I hear this masterpiece

That was a Toure-de-Force of progressive rock! One of my favorite genres so a Brilliant listening experience. Thanks! 

 ColdMiser wrote:

Almost all of these are alternate versions. Again, designed for listening first so you don't know what's coming next.
(And, apologies for not being able to review the recent 3 CD collection. They're on my desk on the West coast while I'm on the East until next year. Bleh.)

 Steely_D wrote:
Mr D, you can post up your playlist whenever you get the chance. 

 ColdMiser wrote:
She's from Georgia but grew up in Appalachia. My parents met her in LA; my dad worked with her then husband. She ex-patted herself off to England for most of the '60s. She dodged fame fairly successfully.


It's a folk song, there really isn't any such thing. I've collected a half dozen different versions.

It's descended from the English folk ballad Matty Groves, see below:

My dad was a huge fan, as you can see by the hairstyle.


Not the first time I've heard that, don't hear it myself. They were friends and performed together.


It kinda was. First record (a 45) I bought with my own money. Well, split with my little sister; we were both captivated the first time we heard it on the radio. She went on to be a huge Neil Young fan, which eventually rubbed off on me.


Asked for this record for Christmas, my first LP of my own.


Got a taste for Alice hanging out with some juvenile delinquents in Massachusetts. Always loved the ambitious, grandiose nature of their music. And the guitar heroics, tho this one features piano.


Alice Cooper and Queen—two bands to make your parents nervous with.


Was introduced by my little brother with Talking Heads '77—which I absolutely didn't get. It wasn't until years later that I got a taste for them, explored their back catalog, and wondered why I'd missed them.


I was already a fan, but I got a job swamping a bar and this was the only 8-track I was interested in in the bar's stereo. Kept me company all night, and I'm still not tired of it.


American music was in a sorry state when they arrived. I credit them in part with a revival that goes on today.


I, too was a Mad fan—even had a subscription for a time. Never connected that dot tho.

I'm in college by now, listening to one of the two cassettes in the Field Ion Microscopy lab in the basement of the Metallurgy building. Still not tired of him, and I'm probably as obsessive a fan as you.


Discovered their music as a college DJ (needed a place to play my records, couldn't afford a stereo) and managed to, for once, influence my little brother's taste in music for a change. Sent him off to the record store to score both, He repaid the favor years later with a cassette copy of Tonio K's first two records when they were out of print and impossible to find.


First time I ever felt compelled to actually buy a Stones record; heard them often enough on the radio I never felt the urge before. But this one set me off on a lifelong interest.


Was a local hit in San Diego. I'm at a different college by now, shacked up (like in an actual shack on the beach) with my girlfriend. Tom Petty was a huge presence in that music scene.

Story is he wrote this song in a courtroom while suing his label.


Also from San Diego area. Loved them the first time I heard them.


All discoveries from San Diego public radio's Saturday folk shows. Have seen all of these live at least once. Carla Sciaky has faded into obscurity a bit, plays violin in an orchestra in Colorado, but deserves to be famous as both a singer and songwriter.


Was introduced by the proprietor of Gary's Record Paradise, my favorite used record store ever. He told me I really needed to hear it. Passed it by at the time, was years later that I first listened. And he was absolutely right.


Just finished a dance weekend featuring the one still-touring member. Still every bit as good.


Have heard both live multiple times, will go a long ways to do so again. You're in for a treat if you've never heard them live.


Organizing another dance weekend featuring the one still-touring member. Kind of a theme. Leader of the band died during covid; we're arranging a tribute.


He's 2, so still learning our language. His word for music.


A really dark version, something he's into quite a bit.


Another dance music discovery. He tries to sing along. It's adorable.


These two are his recent favorites. No idea how they came to his attention.


No idea. Kid loves guitar theatrics. Drags his daddy's guitar around strumming, yelling "Moguk!"


Probably from a scene in Blackhawk Down, used to great effect, but I've also heard it on RP. Rachid Taha rocks pretty hard.

Glad I could connect you to some of these little time capsules!

 Steely_D wrote:

thanks for the refresh, I missed the first one somehow. Got some time on my hands next week and will get ears on it. 

Personally, I'd prefer that you listen first and then check the playlist afterward. But, before I forget, here are the covers I created in case you want to burn a CD.
Also, refreshed the link if you missed the download window.

 Lazy8 wrote:
Review overdue! Your selections came just as I was getting ready for a vacation so it took a little longer than usual to get thru the 3 discs. This is quite the diverse collection of songs/genres and certainly gives great insight into the Mad Musical Mind of Marty. Like all of us, the influence of our parents certainly set the tone for our ever evolving tastes in music. My mom was a HUGE Barbara Streisand fan and while I do not share her enthusiasm I think it led to my love for solo female artists. And for sure things I listened to as a kid on my own set the tone for what I listen to today. So here are my thoughts along the way of enjoying your musical journey.

Disc #1
* Little Sadie - I felt transformed into Appalachia, pass the moonshine!
* Marie's Wedding - I felt transformed into an Irish Village, pass the scotch!
* Ian and Sylvia - I felt transformed to a Parish in St Jean, pass the Caribou!
* Shady Grove - is this the original?
* Johnny Cash - He is the ultimate original, like that young Marty on that Yamaha
* John Stewart - I don't know this guy, he has a Gordon Lightfoot sound
* Chicago - Was this your first political influence? Mine was Mad Magazine
* Don Maclean - great choir like vocals
* School's Out - The Alice Cooper Band's Masterpiece! I've always thought that the title track was the worst song on the album. I always air-drum to Neil Smith when enjoying this record. 
* Teo Torriatte - Nice to hear a deep track from Queen
* Songs from the Wood - Tull as tons of great tunes but if I whittled it down, this song would be in my top 3. "I am the cross to take your nail" - great lyric
* Talking Heads - I was never a fan, not sure why
* Turn that Heartbeat over again - Love this song, such a brilliant debut album
* The Cars - Kings of New Wave - Possibly the best band to come out of Boston?

Disc #2
* Elvis Costello - I'm a casual fan, should listen to him more than what I hear on the radio
* Accidentally Like a Martyr - Far from a casual fan, I'm passionate about Zevon. I wonder if that comes from my Mad Magazine days, his dark sense of whit and all. "Days slide by, should have done, should have done we all sigh" - Genius!
* Tonio K - Who is the guy?
* Modern Lovers - I dig Jonathan Richmond, so unique. I really got into him after seeing the movie There is Something about Mary
* Shattered - Some Girls is my favorite Stones album, played a big part of my life when it came out.
* Century City - Petty was so good even his deep cuts sound like hits
* Riverside - I've heard of the Beat Farmers but don't think I've ever heard them till now. 
* Santiago - More Bongo!
* Greg Brown - I need to hear more from this guy
* Carla Sciaky - What a beautiful voice. Mom Miser would approve
* Closer to Fine - released in 1989 but still sounds fresh today
* Nirvana - also bust on the scene in 1989, so their original fans/audience is probably around average age 50. I wonder if the discontent those young fans had back then still pervades
* KGB - this one is right in the Lazy 8 wheelhouse
* Wailin' Jennys - Going to see them in November here is NH. Mrs Miser is a big fan
* Alabama Pines - I've got kin from Bama and my brother went to college there. I still think the one time I was there was the hottest I've ever been. 
* Contratopia - Speaking of Mrs Miser, she just happened to walk in when this song was on and promptly stated "Oh, I like this!"

Moguk - is this your grandson's name? You may have shared in the past but my memory fails me if you did. His taste is all over the place, NICE diversity for a kid.
* Pogo - I didn't like this song at the outset but by the time it was over I was diggin it
* You are my Sunshine - I really like this version, unheard by me till now. The state song of Louisiana, who knew? 
* Genticorum - Wish I knew French
* Banana Boat Song - Thanks, I've had this song stuck in my head for a few days now. 
* Que Sera Sera - Still holds up well since 1956. I think this one was played in my childhood home here and there.
* Ernesto Schnack - Great guitar work! Who is this guy? 
* KGB - straight from your wheelhouse to your grandson's wheelhouse, nicely played!
* Tape Five - I dig this style of music, very Radio Paradise
* I Gotsta Get Paid - Prequel to Just Got Paid
* Barra Barra - where do I know this from?

Your influences cover a lot of ground, very eclectic and stimulating. Amazing that quite a bit of your grandson's selections were new to me. Hook him up with Alanna! Thank you for taking what was obviously much effort to put this together. I'm sure it was a labor of love with nostalgic enthusiasm. I certainly enjoyed it! 

So this one's personal.

I started with childhood, or rather prenatal. these are roughly in chronological order of my discovering them. As you can see my parents had an outsized influence on my early tastes—they were folkies. The first cover picture shows my dad with Hedy West at a house party around 1959.

I soon got immersed in the popular music of my youth but most of it didn't stick. I had pretty strong tastes from early on. When I grew up and got a job and finally had money to spend my wife and I would indulge in monthly record binges to catch up on the music we couldn't afford earlier. While there are some cringy top-of-the-charts selections in my collection mostly it reflects what I still listen to.

I became an influence on my kids in turn, and we still share a lot of music. There are a few bands I don't get (Nickleback? Really?) but our tastes are still remarkably similar.

And lastly there's my grandson's playlist. He is a very enthusiastic music fan (also with strong tastes) and his daddy shared his playlist with me. I cut it down from well north of 100 entries to make this. It's mystifying/gratifying/awe-inspiring to see echoes of my parent's taste showing up in his.

 KurtfromLaQuinta wrote:

I like the surprise element of not knowing what's coming up, so I'll post it in a couple of days. Got the "covers" all ready in case people want to burn it to a CD.

 Lazy8 wrote: How about an explanation of your songs?

 Steely_D wrote:
Got it and listened to the first half.
And you need to explain yourself with a set list.



With you and Lazy cranking these things out... a lot of work reviewing ahead for me... and the rest of you guys!

 Steely_D wrote:

Last day

Download link https://we.tl/t-tZuRxGW9H9

Expires end of month

 miamizsun wrote:

Yes.
MD
Me doctor


And I’m out of the loop again until January. Kindly don’t ship anything to the house. Someone’s there, but it ain’t me, babe. No no no, it ain’t me, babe.

 Steely_D wrote:
doctor's orders?
because if it is...





and am i still october?

Download link


Same admonition - the link is only there a finite time, so grab it in the next day or two and listen whenever

 Lazy8 wrote:

In college (cough) I made a handy $7 for the first go round and $15 for the second in a week. That’s big money for the weekend in the mid 70s at LSU.

I popped into the adjacent bookstore, milling about, and asked the guy what was new and good. He grabbed me, dragged me to the section, and thrust a book in my hand that he happened to be wearing the shirt of. I read it in one sitting, and then went on to read every single one of the author’s other books in one sitting.

The book? It begins like this…”This is my favorite book in all the world, although I have never read it.”